That review is funny. Locals shouldn't even know what a day ticket costs. If you live in the Squamish-Pemberton corridor you either have a seasons pass or you don't touch the ski hill. And the rest of it is all the same old, same old. The limited time I spend living in Whistler was 15 years ago and it was too expensive then as it is now. (sure, it is more expensive now, but literally everywhere desirable to live in southern BC has gone up respectively. You aren't allowed to live in Whistler and complain that it's too expensive. You are literally choosing to live in the most expensive town (as opposed to city) in the province (no source - total assumption). The whole corridor has been out of control for way too long. Squamish is fucked, Pemberton is showing signs of fuckedness. None of that matters though - it's Whistler... people will ALWAYS want to be there.
Unless you were upper/mid management of the ski hill pre Vail takeover, there's really nothing that can or will change to anyone. Low level seasonal workers aren't going to be affected. Actual locals are niche professionals or dedicated lifestylists (think of the folk who live in the hipster neighbourhood of any major city that pay more to live there because it's the only option), they aren't concerned with who the resort owner is. A number of people I know that have something in Whistler had it through the family from when it was called Alta Lake. And as a visitor/tourist, it doesn't matter either. Pre Vail had speed police, expensive day tickets, high living cost, etc... Only difference I think now is the fluctuating day ticket price, but ain't nobody goes to world class ski resorts and actually buys their day tickets from the ticket window... you buy that shit online in advance.
